In their toughest test of the season, the Pitt Panthers are standing up to Touchdown Jesus. Riding a two-game winning streak into South Bend, the Panthers have traded field goals with No. 3 Notre Dame. The Irish led off the game with a 14-play, 60-yard drive that ended in a Kyle Brindza field goal.
While Notre Dame's first scoring drive was a methodical, clock-eating drive, the Panthers drive was kickstarted by senior running back Ray Graham, who broke off a 55-yard run to set Pitt up at the Irish 32. Six plays later, Kevin Harper tied the game with a 39-yard field goal.
The Irish are led by quarterback Everett Golson, who is 8 for 11 for 79 yards through the first quarter. The Panthers starter, Tino Sunseri, is just 2 of 3 for nine yards through the air, and took a nine-yard sack that forced head coach Paul Chryst to settle for Harper's field goal.